Ewe Venavi Figures from Togo, West Africa

Description

Ewe venavi figures on custom base
These figures, known as venavi by the Ewe people of Eastern Ghana and Western Togo in Africa, represent spirits of deceased twins. They are carved from light wood sourced from the kapok tree and the female is adorned with strings of yellow and blue beads around the waist. Venavi are used in the same manner as ibeji figures of the Yoruba, but are comparatively more simple and spare in most cases.
The twins are mounted to a custom, dark wood base with metal rods that fit into the legs. The underside of the base has a label that incorrectly attributes these figures to the Fon people of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
These venavi have an unusual encrusted surface, possibly from libations given to the twins. The encrusted layers have chipped and flaked in some places, revealing the bare wood underneath.
Measures approximately 9.5 inches (H) x 3 inches (L) x 6.5 inches (W) mounted.